UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has voiced his full backing for the peace process in Sri Lanka in talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ranil Wickramasinghe, at Downing Street on Wednesday.

A Downing Street spokesman said, "The Prime Minister stressed his strong support for the peace process in Sri Lanka."

A UK Foreign Office spokesman added, "The United Kingdom welcomes the considerable progress which the Sri Lankan government and the [Tamil Tiger rebels] have made towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict".

On February 23 this year, the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers signed an agreement on the cessation of hostilities, paving the way for further steps towards peace negotiations.

As efforts to get talks started continue, Mr Wickramasinghe is visiting Europe to secure support for the peace initiative.

Ceasefire supervision

The body supervising the ceasefire in Sri Lanka between security forces and the rebels says the two sides are complying with the terms of the agreement.

None of the ceasefire violations jeopardised the agreement

SLMM report

In a report issued on Wednesday, the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said none of the 58 violations recorded until mid-May jeopardised the ceasefire or the peace process.

Optimistic assessment

The SLMM report puts an encouraging gloss on the complaints the mission has received and processed between 23 February - when the truce became effective - and 15 May.

Peace process progressing

The report provides details of complaints received from northern and eastern districts of Sri Lanka where violence was brought to an end by the ceasefire agreement.

The largest number of complaints were received in the eastern Batticaloa district, closely followed by the neighbouring Trincomalee district.

The monitors did not identify who made the complaints; nor did they say who was guilty of any of the violations.

Diplomatic exercises

The SLMMs' optimism has been reinforced by the prime minister's visit to Brussels and London.

Limited truce violations

Mr Wickramasinghe's peace initiative has reportedly received praise from his European hosts, and some development assistance has been offered.

Although Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has formally supported the peace process, she has asked that the Tigers give up their demand for a separate homeland.